For 1956, the Medalist's new "Flo-tone" paint option flipped the usual two-tone formula: roof and lower body matched, and the upper body wore the contrast color.
Lead trim: Medalist 312 cu in Y-block V8
Mercury Medalist1956–1956
- 0spots by members
- Unclaimednobody has spotted one yet
- 0sets it belongs to
Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Mercury Medalist yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactFor 1956, the Medalist's new "Flo-tone" paint option flipped the usual two-tone formula: roof and lower body matched, and the upper body wore the contrast color.
The Mercury Medalist was produced for the 1956 model year and, in a second stint, 1958; it was similar to the Ford Customline in market segment. It was introduced as a two-door sedan only in September 1955 as Mercury's low-price model, positioned below the Custom, Monterey and Montclair and replacing the entry-level status of the Custom; a four-door sedan, a two-door hardtop Sport Coupe and a four-door hardtop were added mid-year, at which time the Medalist was given full series status. It was offered only with a 312 cubic inch Ford Y-block V8 (3-speed manual, Merc-O-Matic automatic, or Touch-O-Matic overdrive) on a 119 in wheelbase, 206.3 in long, 76.4 in wide, 60.6 in high and 3,530 lb. Standard items included textured vinyl upholstery, rubber floor mats, chrome window surround mouldings and stainless side trim; options included a heater and defroster, "Travel-Tuner" signal-seeking AM radio, padded instrument panel, seat belts, power seat, windows, steering and brakes. The 2-door sedan listed at US$2,254 and 20,582 were assembled. Every Mercury for 1955 offered a canted hood over the headlights introduced on the 1954 XM-800 concept, and for 1956 Mercury introduced two-tone and "Flo-tone" paint combinations (thirty-one two-tone and twenty-eight "Flo-tone"). The Medalist was discontinued with the Custom for 1957, the Monterey becoming the base model.
Collectors Spotted in the Mercury Medalist Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Mercury Medalist yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medalist 312 cu in Y-block V8 | 1956–1956 | 5.1 L V8 | 210 hp | 312 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
The Medalist name took a year off after 1956, then returned for 1958 as Mercury's new entry-level car — and this comeback turned out to be its final year on the lot.
For 1956, the Medalist's new "Flo-tone" paint option flipped the usual two-tone formula: roof and lower body matched, and the upper body wore the contrast color.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
It briefly served as senior sibling to Marquette, a GM companion brand cancelled after just one year.
Nissan hired former BMW engineers to help develop the 510's suspension, which is why period reviewers frequently compared its handling to the BMW 1600/2002.
A Trabant 601 won its class at the 1970 Monte Carlo Rally, with a second 601 right behind it in second.
The 600 was a stopgap: the P50's body over the 601's mechanicals, and for a while its estate was built alongside the new 601 saloon.
The G80 Sport brought a 370 PS twin-turbo 3.3 V6, a mesh grille and copper-tinted chrome with copper stitching to match.
The Vigor was sold only with a five-cylinder engine, an unusual configuration Honda used to fit a longer engine transversely under a short hood.
The GS/E coupe earned the nickname "German Charger" for its long hood, short deck stance borrowed from Detroit muscle cars.
This DeVille/Fleetwood was the first production car anywhere to mount its V8 sideways, Cadillac's front-drive gamble on the new C-body.